Many people view loud snoring or interrupted breathing while you sleep as a quirk you just have to deal with, but these can actually be serious signs of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during the night, causing repeated drops in oxygen and sleep disruption.
When breathing is interrupted during sleep, the body experiences frequent drops in oxygen, which forces the heart to work harder to maintain circulation. As a result, clinical evidence shows that sleep apnea and high blood pressure have a high rate of co-occurrence, and that hypertension can contribute to the development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
How Does Sleep Apnea Affect Blood Pressure?
While it might not seem so at first glance, high blood pressure and sleep can be closely related. To answer the question “Can sleep apnea cause high blood pressure?”, we must first understand what happens to our body during sleep apnea, and the knock-on effects it can have on us when we are awake.
- The Stress Response: Each time breathing stops, it triggers the body’s response to a lack of air. The nervous system releases hormones like adrenaline. These “fight or flight” chemicals cause sudden spikes in heart rate and blood pressure.
- Vascular Health: Repeated drops in blood oxygen levels, known as hypoxia, can lead to inflammation in the lining of the blood vessels. This makes the arteries less flexible and less effective at regulating pressure naturally.
- Sympathetic Activity: For those with sleep apnea, the “stress” of the night often carries over into the day. The body stays in a state of heightened alert, which can keep blood pressure elevated even when you are awake and resting.
The Connection Between High Blood Pressure and Sleep
The relationship between high blood pressure and sleep is often a circular one. While high blood pressure itself isn’t typically the cause of apnea, the two conditions frequently coexist and exacerbate one another.
For example, hypertension can lead to fluid retention. When lying down, this fluid can shift toward the neck area, potentially narrowing the airway and making apnea events more frequent. Because these conditions are so closely linked, it is difficult to fully manage one without screening for the other.
Why You Should Be Wary of Untreated Sleep Apnea and High Blood Pressure
In the medical community, “resistant hypertension” refers to high blood pressure that does not respond well to standard medications. For people with resistant hypertension, undiagnosed sleep apnea is one of the most common reasons why blood pressure remains difficult to control.
Ignoring the combination of sleep apnea and high blood pressure can lead to several long-term cardiovascular concerns:
- Increased Risk of Stroke: Constant pressure on the blood vessels in the brain increases the risk of blockages or ruptures.
- Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): The recurring strain on the heart’s chambers can disrupt its natural rhythm.
- Heart Failure: Over time, the extra effort required to pump blood against high resistance can weaken the heart muscle.
When to Seek Help for Sleep Apnea
In Singapore, many cases of sleep apnea go undiagnosed because the symptoms are mistaken for common tiredness. However, if you have been diagnosed with hypertension, it is worth observing if you also have the following symptoms:
- Waking up with a headache or a very dry mouth.
- Feeling tired during the day despite getting a full night’s sleep.
- Loud snoring or gasping sounds (often noticed by a spouse).
- Blood pressure that remains high despite taking multiple medications.
If your blood pressure is proving difficult to manage, a professional sleep screening is a practical next step to determine if your night time breathing is a contributing factor.
Find Out If You Have Sleep Apnea with Sleeping Lab
If you’re not sure whether your high blood pressure is caused by sleep apnea, a home sleep apnea test will monitor your breathing and oxygen levels in your own bed, providing a clear picture of your sleep health without having to stay in a lab or hospital.
At Sleeping Lab, we help individuals identify the root causes of their sleep issues. Book a consultation with a sleep specialist in Singapore to discuss your heart health or inquire about a home sleep apnea test to see if your sleep is affecting your blood pressure.
Find out what else affects your sleep and sleep apnea with our other articles:
- How Your Sleeping Position Impacts Sleep Apnea
- The Relationship Between Stress and Sleep
